Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis and Roche have brought together the children and grandchildren of IPF patients to create an inspirational Fight IPF Choir to raise awareness of the disease during IPF World Week.

In a powerful and emotionally-charged rendition of Rachel Platten’s inspirational hit ‘Fight Song’, the children and grandchildren of people with IPF have come together – accompanied by classically trained pianist and TV presenter Myleene Klass – to urge their parents and grandparents to continue to stand up to IPF by learning more about their disease so that they can make more informed decisions enabling them to strive for their goals and fight for more tomorrows.

Myleene Klass, commented: “As a musician and a mother, I feel privileged to be part of this campaign which has touched the hearts of us all. Music has this amazing ability to lift the soul and makes you feel proud and celebratory for all the things you have. So I hope that through the power of music we can inspire people with IPF to embrace living in the moment and continue to live their lives the best way in which they can.”

APF Ambassador Tony Gowland

The family members from across the generations who came together included Action Ambassador Tony Gowland and his family and other APF supporters, as well as patients from Canada and Belgium. The choir spent three days rehearsing and recording.

Tony Gowland, from Leeds, said, “ It was an unbelievable experience to be part of this choir, not least because it means that, at last, we are giving a voice to patients and families who have felt isolated and uncared for so long. This disease is devastating for patients and families and many survive for just three years from diagnosis – a horrifying statistic.”

Tony, who is on the active transplant list, uses supplementary oxygen throughout the day and writes an inspiring blog about his life and illness on the APF website – www.actionpulmonaryfibrosis.org.

Patients and families fighting back against IPF also included Anne Doran, 62, and her daughter, Louise from Wigan; Brian Tucker, 76, from Portsmouth; Ann Bennett, who lives near Falmouth, Cornwall; Pauline Motl, 69, from Solihull, Howard Almond, 71 from Devon, Malcolm Mason, 69, from Halstead in Essex and Ron Flewett from Lincolnshire.